Little kids are a lot of work!

That's what Skyler said after Rachael and her Nearly 3 year old daughter Sophia left on Sunday evening.

He was a trooper and really stepped up to entertain her.

 

Bowling on Sunday.

Mommy's childhood friend Rachael was in town and we met up with her at the local bowling alley. Skyler had a great time!

He even got a strike!

Pretty much all he does now.

Skyler cannot put the iPad down and it's getting rather infuriating.

Yesterday morning before Ninja class. He's addicted!

Now we're talking!

This has been a dream of mine since I was a kid.  Hamilton Standard Propeller decals on the ceiling fan! Skyler actually came up with the idea and found the decals after I placed yellow tape on the tips of the fan as a joke.

Looks killer!

(They're actual propeller decals meant for airplanes!)

Quote.

"And when I turned to face grief, I saw that it was just love in a heavy coat."

Yep.

Spotted on the internet. Highly accurate.

This!

Mind the Chablis!

Party pic.

The kids had a great time despite the chaos.

Skyler was the only boy invited from their class!

The button machine.

Mommy got a button maker for Christmas so we can be even more self-sufficient around here.  Skyler has a birthday party to attend to later today and wanted to make his friend Andrew a button to wear.

Working on the floor despite us having numerous tables to work on.

Number 4...

It was 4 years ago today that we lost Mom.  I think about her every day and I try to keep her memory alive for Skyler who was only 7 at the time.  We have lots of pictures of her and him together but one really stands out above all others.  Thanks to Altair for nudging me to take this picture of Grandma and Skyler in Nebraska all the way back in 2013.

I like to think she's still holding his hand every day.

3D printing pen.

Skyler got another 3D printing pen for Christmas.  Seems like a good idea but it mostly makes blobs!

He's rather entertained.

Quite possibly the best hamburger I've ever had.

We stopped at the new burger joint here in town for lunch yesterday.  Patty Shack  opened in November and I've been curious to see how good it was ever since.  Incredible!  Perfect French fries and unbelievable hamburgers!

It's location is in a residential neighborhood in the old Bell's Deli that operated for 40 years.

I had a double.  A single would have been just right.

Fries that are out of this world!  So crispy but not greasy.

Skyler ordered and finished(!) a triple!  3/4 pound hamburger!

B-29 content!!

This is a good little clip.

(Note how long Fairchild's runway is!)

RIP "Dirt".

The Nevada Northern Railway lost their mascot on Tuesday.  He was a legend and was one of the reasons the railroad has seen so much success.  High greens old boy!

2008-2023.

Say hi to Mr. Mittens for us.

Chemistry is fun!

Next door gave Skyler a crystal growing kit for Christmas.  We followed the directions and in about a week, we had a crystal!

Pretty cool.

Yep.

Altair is doing dry January this year.  I'm just trying to get through it.

 

Kitty!

Spotted on our walk yesterday.  She was super friendly!

She's rather chubby, aka, the short wheelbase model.

 

New room color!

We spent the second half of Christmas break re-doing Skyler's room.  He wanted a green color so we went and had some paint mixed at Lowes.

All finished and re-assembled.  He is watching "Black Sheep Squadron" on DVD on his little television.  His teacher is right, he really is an "old soul".

Midway Ice Castles.

A bit over-hyped and way over-priced, we made the trip in less than ideal weather conditions Monday afternoon.

Ice slide tunnels.

Skyler and Mommy in line for the ice slide.

Some kind of water/light feature.

Almost like bubble lights on a Christmas tree.

LOTS of people!!

January was always hard.

It's even harder after Mom died.  I ran across this the other day and I think it's pretty spot on.

 

Happy birthday Karen!

It's my one and only sibling's birthday today!  She's a great sister and wonderful aunt to Skyler.

Furether evidence of her being a wonderful aunt. 

Happy Birthday Karen!

New Year's Dinner.

Skyler picked turkey for our dinner this year.  I cooked up a turkey breast and it was fantastic!

Like a T.V. dinner only way better!